Connection adjustment.



S. W. HAYES.

CONNECTION ADJUSTMENT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16. 190B.

1,156,997. Patented 001 .19,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 nu I,

* |l I llglllll/ I COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.,wAsmNaTON. D. c.

S. W. HAYES.

CONNECTION ADJUSTMENT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16. 190B.

1,156,997. Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- TJTE V oomvncrroiv rinwsrlvrnivmq Q To all whom, itmay concern Be it known that I, STANLEY W. HAYns, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Geneva, in the county of Ontario and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inConnection Adjustments, of which the following, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying draw full, true,

ings, forming a part hereof, is a and concise specification.

This invention is an adjustable connection device for the operatinglines of track or signal appliances adapted for insertion between theoperating and operated elements eral preferred modes in which I have contemplated embodying the same.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view Fig. 2a horizontal section;and Fig. 3 a top plan, of a connection device embodying the invention;Fig. 4: a'tra-nsverse section on the line ab of Fig. 1; Fig; 5 islan alternative form, in longitudinal section; Fig. 6 is a centrallongitudinal section of a further embodiment of the invention with thecover removed; Fig. 7 is a top plan thereof} and Figs. 8 and 9 arerespectively cross-sections, on lines 88 and 99 of Fig. 7 Fig.

10 is a'central longitudinal section of a further form showing theprovisions for adjustment of the length of the operating line as well asof the lostmotion therein; and Fig. 11 is a cross-section of Fig. 10 inthe line 11-11. I v

The device comprises a frameor casing 1, which has suitable provisionsfor'attachment to either the operated or the operating element of theoperating line, as the case may be. Such provisions may consist of aconnection jaw 2, formed integrally on the Sipecification ofLtterslatent. V I Appficatien filedDecember 16, 1908. S'eria1.'i\ To.$7,908.

when connected in the line;

= Simplification of the structure and facilenact the cas ng, asindicated in meanwings, or the form of theattachment may be modifiedaccording to'the nature orconstruction-of the apparatus with whichrused,or thesald attachment "means may be formed as the coiiperati-ve part ofthe provisions for ad ustment of thelength of the operatmg l1ne,'"aslater described; The device is connected with the other elements of. theoperating'li'ne by means of therod 3, which terminates withconnection-eye 4 or other (suitable connection -mean s',' desirably onerren 4 srANLiiY wanes", 01 mtav gaewsheafQ5l 7' "mantaar s, was.

that will hold; the rod against rotation,

The said rod 11 is! supported for longitudinal movement within the frameor casing, and is threaded at its terminal portion to receive anadjustable collar or nut 5,which latter has a limlted longitudinalmovement "with respect to said-casingbut-isheld thereby againstrotavtron upon' the rod.- :Adjustment :of the devlce may be,-accomplished by rotating the rod within the relatively stationary nutand easing, or revolvinglf the latter about the rod, according to which:end of the device has been "disconnected for thepurpose.

The casing is byypreferencea closed receptacle' or inclosure for theinutand rod, and the latter enters-the interior chamber througha boss 8.which affords an appropriate bearing. therefor and holds the rodLinaXial alinement with therest of the de =vice.;,- Th bearing inthe-boss is of sufiicient lengthv to render. unlikely the entrance ofdirttherethrough to the;..interior chamber.,

The said chamber has preferably an angular cross-sectional shape ;-toconform to the shape of theinut, and thus hold it against rotation. Inthe form shownin Figsil to 4' the nut is square andtheichamber is shapedaccordingly; the enlargements shown at the ends of, the chamber beingmerely to avoid sticking from imperfectly cored castings The end .wallof the interior chamber that is nearest the entrance of'the rod andmarked ment, the conical recess serving vat such timesto centrallzetherod and preserve it as to against lateral distortion within thechamber. By adjusting the nut or collar longitudinally along thethreaded rod, in the manner above indicated, the effective distancebetween the abutment surface of the nut and the end of the rod may be sovaried with reference to the casing abutments with which theyrespectively co-act, as to provide any desired amount of lost motionwithin the predetermined limits of the device. The bore through thebearing boss 8 is preferably somewhat larger at its inner end than atits outer extremity, as indicated at 9, so afford sufiicient clearancefor the threads on the rod and prevent their mutilation during theirreciprocating movement therein; and as a further safeguard againstinjury to the threadedrod, the-nut is conlined thereon by a linch-pin 10secured in a hole bored through the end of the rod, thereby preventingover-adjustment of the device to such a point that the number of threadsleft in engagement with the nut would be insufficient to resist thestrain thereon.

In order to assemble the foregoing structure, the closed casing isformed in two separable parts, one of which may be regarded as the coverto the other, as, for example, the screw cover 6 shown in the form ofFigs. 1%, which closes a lateral opening into the interior chamber ofsufficientdiameter to allow the nut and its securing means to be easilyinserted.

In the form shown in Fig. 5,the main part-11 of the separable closedcasing therein shown, has suitable attachment provisions 12, as abovedescribed, but its interior chamber opens at the end instead of at theside, being closed by the cover part 13, which, in this case, carriesthe hearing or support for the longitudinally movable rod 3. The coverpart 13 screws into the other, and its interior face within the chamberconstitutes the abutment for the nut 5, as will be plain from thedrawing. In its operation this device is manifestly similar to the formfirst above described.

In the form illustrated by Figs. '6-9 inclusive, the frame or casing 14has the attachment means 2, the tubular bearing 8 for the threaded rod 3and the opposite interior casing abutments 7 and 7 as above described,but the removable or cover part of this casing is in the form of a slidemarked 15 which covers. and uncovers an opening in the side wall of thecasing, suitable for the introduction of the nut 5 and the linch pin 10.The nut in this form is an ordinary hexagon nut and the body of thecasing is correspondingly shaped, in cross section, for producing thenon-rotatory engagement therewith above referred to. The opening in thecasing is located near to the end of the interior chamber so that thenut cannot reach a position in registry with it, after the linch pin hasbeen inserted, which renders the use of the cover part 15 quiteunnecessary except in so far as it is preferred for the protection itafalso to project somewhat beyond the shoulder 16 of the casing, so thata linch pin 17 or equivalent locking device can be applied to itsoverhanging end to fasten the cover in place, as clearly shown in Figs.7 and 9. The mannerof forming the sliding connection between the casingand the cover will be plain from the drawings.

.Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate with the same reference numerals, the formof the invention last above described combined with means, substitutedfor the connection jaw 2, which permits the adjustment of the length ofthe operating line. The said means comprises a tubular boss 18 formed onthe end of the casing, and screw-thread- 1 ed in its interior to receivethe threaded end of the connection rod 19 which may be a switch rod orany other member of the op erating pipe line. A look nut 20 may be usedfor tightening the rod in. its adjusted position within the boss. Byrotating the rod 19 relatively to the casing the operating line may beproperly adjusted to the distance between the operated and operatingelements in obvious manner.

Combined with any of the above forms the invention includes a lockingmeans functioned to hold the threaded rod 3 against rotating within thecasing, during the normal use of the device, although permitting thefree reciprocation thereof as above described. This means consists of akey shown at 21 in Figs. 10 and 11 adapted to be non rotatably connectedto the end of the rod and having, in whole or in part, an angular shapecorresponding to the shape of the lost motion chamber so as to benon-rotatable therein. This key may be used in place of the linch pin10, being similarly held in a cross-hole in the end of that rod, andconfined in place by the cover. When used with the form of Figs. 10 and11 it serves to prevent rotation of the casing relatively to both of thethreaded connection rods and hence insures the permanence of both adljustments.

I claim the following as my invention:

1. A connection adjustment for the operating lines of track appliances,comprising a frame or casing having provisions for attachment tooneofthe elements of the opment to the other of said elements."

i opened to receive a nut and adapted tohold 2. A connection adjustmentfor the operating lines of track appliances, comprising a frame orcasing provided with opposing abutments, a rodlongitudinally androtatably movable with respect to said abutments, a nut held againstrotation by said frame or casing, and threaded to said rod between. theabutments thereof.

3. A connection adjustment for the operating lines of trackappliances,comprising a closed casing or inclosure provided withinterior abutments, a rod longitudinally and rotatably movable withinsaid inclosure and a nut threaded to said rod and movable longitudinallytherewith within said casing and having non-rotatable engagement latter.I v a 4. A connection adjustment for the op erating lines oftrackappliances, comprising a frame or casing provided with opposingabutments, a rod co-acting endwise with one of said abutments and adevice adjustably carried on said rod and co-acting with the otherabutment. 1 r I 5. A connectionadjustment for the operatinglines oftrack appliances, comprising a closed casing having provislons forattachment to one of the elements of the operating line and furtherprovided with interior, fixedand opposing abutments and with a bearingat one end, and means for alternate engagement with thesaid abutmentsconsisting of a longitudinally movable rod entering and terminatingwithin said casing, said rod having an unthreaded portion working insaid bearing and a threaded portion within the casing, and a nutadjustably carried by the threaded'portion of said rod and designed tomove therewith longitudinally in the casing.

6. A connection adjustment for the: oper ating lines oftrack-appliances, comprising a frame or casing provided with means forattachment to one of the elements of the line and having an interiorspace or chamberof angular cross-section, a longitudinally movablethreaded rod entering said chamber, and provided with meansforattachment to the other element of the line, and a nut on the rod withinthe chamber conforming to the angular section thereof, having limitedlongitudinal movement therein.

7. As a connection adjustment operating lines of track appliances, an inclosure formed in two parts adapted to be I the same therein againstrotation, but with freedom for limited longitudinal movement with the Ifor the t therein, in combination with a threaded rod tion,a rodco-acting endwise therewith and adapted to be centered thereby, and'anadjustable collar on said rod co-acting with the other of saidabutments. i

9. A connectionadjustment for the operating lines of track appliances,comprising a frame or casing in two parts, screwed together and providedwith means for attachment to one of the elements of the operating line,a nut non-rotatably held by said casing and having limited longitudinalmovement therein, and a longitudinally movable rod, threaded to saidnutand provided with means of attachment to the other element of theoperating line.

10. A connection adjustment of the kind described, comprising a closednut-containing casing formed with a relatively long tubular boss, thediameter of the outer extremity of said boss being smaller than thediameter of its inner extremity and a longitudinally movablerodslidingly supported in said part of smaller diameter and having athreaded nut-engaging terminal portion within said casing adapted toenter said part of larger diameter.

11. In a connection device of the dee v scribed, a hollow casing havingachamber of angular cross-section and a nut of corresponding angularformation, held against rotation thereby and having longitudinal Jmovement in said chamber, in combination with a longitudinally movablerod threaded in said nut and means for confining said nut uponthe rod. a

12. In a connection deviceof the kind de-i scribed, a hollow ca'singadapted for connection to on'e element of the operating line and havingalateral aperture suitable for the reception of an abutment collar, incombination with a rod slidingly mounted on saidcasing and adapted forconnection to 7 scribed, a closed f hollow casing having a lateralaperature, a screw cap normallyclosing said aperature, a nut adapted tobe inserted through saidaperature and having limited longitudinalmovement within the vsaid casing and a longitudinally movable rodthreaded in said nut, said casing and rod beinv adapted for connectionin an operatf ing ine.

14. 'In a connection device of the kind described, a hollow casing,adapted for con nection to one of the operating line elements Intestimony whereof, I have signed my and a nut in said casing havinglimited name to the specification in the presence of longitudinalmovement therein, in combinatWo subscribing Witnesses.

tion With a rod longitudinally movable'in STANLEY W. HAYES.

said casing and threaded in said nut, and a Witnesses:

pin in the end of said rod confining said R. M. BRADEN,

nut thereon. H. F. NESTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

